The Art of Calligraphy: Where Handwriting Meets Aesthetic

In an era where individuals have shifted from writing by hand to typing nonetheless, with the increasing emphasis on aesthetics, Calligraphy has made a comeback. People believe that calligraphy is tough, one needs good handwriting for it and only professionals can do it but with evolving times, different calligraphy styles have evolved too. Writing in a stylistic manner looks visually pleasing, therefore calligraphy is considered to be aesthetic. 

Coming from the Greek words kallos (beauty) and graphein (to write), Calligraphy has a diverse history. Its roots can be traced to ancient China during the Shang dynasty (c.1600-1046 BCE), where characters were first carved onto bones and shells. From there, it influenced the neighbouring cultures in Japan and Korea. In the Middle East, calligraphy flourished with Arabic scripts, especially for religious texts. Indian calligraphy dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, evolving through scripts like Brahmi and Gupta. Further, the Islamic influence during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods introduced Persian styles, creating unique Indo-Islamic forms. 

In the present-day scenario, calligraphy is experiencing a resurgence due to its appeal on social media or better, Instagram. With artists showcasing their skills through time-lapse videos and doing simple tutorials, a visibly good number of the audience has gained interest in calligraphy. Consumers either indulge in paying for these aesthetic writing services for invitation cards and personalised engraving or they pick it up as a hobby by learning through tutorials or joining curated workshops. 

Calligraphy is a refreshing way to unplug from the world, but it is more than just some beautiful letters. It is about creating art with your pen. You can become an artist with every stroke you make, even if it is something that has already been done. While this creative activity seems to be expensive, it also has an affordable side. It depends on the preference of the artist- what style of calligraphy do they wish to do? Because that will decide the materials and therefore the cost involved.

Some trending styles of calligraphy are–

• Faux calligraphy: a style which mimics the look of traditional calligraphy using standard writing instruments. It’s accessible and ideal for surfaces where ink pens can’t be used. You can use a pencil, a ballpoint pen, a marker or chalk, etc. This is a beginner-friendly style, where all you have to do is write in cursive and remember to thicken your downstrokes by drawing an extra line and filling it in to simulate the look of a calligraphy nib.

• Glass Pen: are admired for their aesthetic appeal and are often used for both calligraphy and drawing. The writing style can vary, but the experience is unique due to the pen’s construction. The strokes would naturally be controlled by the calligrapher and be made in a style of their choice. You would require calligraphy inks (waterproof and coloured), smooth paper on which the ink does not spread and the strokes are clear, apart from the glass pen. These pens are easy to clean and care for plus they are quite affordable.

• Gothic: features dramatic, angular strokes and dense, ornate letterforms. It’s recognised for its medieval, bold appearance. The letterforms are typically thick and dense, often creating a sense of weight and formality. You would require broad-edged pens or calligraphy markers along with high-quality and smooth papers. This style can be a little challenging for beginners, so it is advised to try your hand at easier styles first. However, there are various beginner-focused tutorials available if you are interested deeply.

• Modern: is characterised by its freeform, expressive strokes and a relaxed, often whimsical appearance. It’s less rigid than traditional scripts and allows for personal flair and experimentation. You can use brush pens or pointed pens, even ink. Just make sure you are using a smooth paper to prevent feathering or bleeding.

• Copperplate: is an elegant, slanted script known for its thin upstrokes, thick downstrokes, and ornate loops. It’s commonly used for formal invitations and certificates. This style was historically used in engraved copybooks and printing, giving it the “copperplate” name and is often associated with English Roundhand script. You would require a pointed pen with a flexible line of nibs with, a nib holder, calligraphy ink (black or coloured) and lastly a bleed-proof paper. This style is generally considered difficult for beginners but with practice of the English cursive you may be able to understand some basics of this calligraphy.

While calligraphers do practice on paper, digitalisation has provided them with a wider canvas. With every tool in one place and hassle-free mobility of all the designs together, digital calligraphy has gained visibility and created significant space in the calligraphy market. With applications like Procreate, Adobe Fresco and Affinity Designer have just the brushes you would need to hone your digital calligraphy skills. You can practice your strokes on an iPad or Tablet of your preference with the help of any of these applications.

Top 5 calligraphers to learn from-

• @mr_tank_calligraphy
• @sharifaslove
• @calliscript
• @letteringbuff
• @avinash_caligraphy

Calligraphy is not just an art that you can indulge in as a hobby but can also be your small business. From personalised letters, stickers, diaries and invitations to engraving bottles, watches and glasses to teaching this very art, you can monetise your writing while being a part of the Instagram aesthetic. If you are someone who likes being creative and wants to make their skills profitable, do try calligraphy if it interests you. Just do not worry about your handwriting, calligraphy is different from your usual handwriting yet it is similar to it in an aesthetic manner.